Effects of intracisternal methylprednisolone on lipid peroxidation in experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage

The efficacy of intracisternal methylprednisolone was examined on lipid per oxidation in a canine subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) model. The concentrati on of lipid peroxides increased significantly in the cerebrospinal fluid (C SF) supernatant on Day 4, and also in the arterial wall on Day 7. Intracist ernal administration of methylprednisolone reduced markedly the products of lipid peroxidation both in CSF and in the arterial wall. The findings sugg est that lipid peroxidation might play a significant role in the genesis of vasospasm after SAH, and that direct administration of methylprednisolone into the subarachnoid space might reduce lipid peroxides in the arterial wa ll and so influence the prevention of vasospasm.